Gyrocopter deaths 'accidental'

The gyrocopter was built by Mr French who died in the crash

The death of two men killed when a gyrocopter crashed in Essex was accidental, in inquest jury has heard.

Ronald Turck, 42, from Braintree, and Gerry French, 58, from Chelmsford, died when the light aircraft crashed into a field near Great Leighs on 17 May 2002.

The gyrocopter, which was built by retired Essex police officer Mr French, crashed at Blackley Lane in Great Notley.

A jury at Chelmsford Coroner's Court on Tuesday returned a verdict of accidental death.

Following the accident one witness described how the gyrocopter fell to the ground as he watched from about quarter of a mile away.

Andy Ryman, who was out walking with his family, said: "It had been flying around for quite some time.

"Suddenly I heard the engine seem to stop and that drew my attention to it.

"I looked up and the microlight was plummeting towards the ground."